Police appeal following death of missing man

Police are appealing to the public for information following the discovery and identification of human remains.

Police were made aware of human remains being found in the area of Tregurrian, Newquay on Thursday 11 August 2016. Initial formal identification proved inconclusive and the remains were then sent off for specialist DNA testing.

Tests confirmed that the remains belonged to that of 45-year-old Darren Rhys Witcombe, whose death is being treated as unexplained whilst police carry out their enquiries.

Police are keen to identify a man who brought Darren’s phone [pictured] into the Carousel Amusement Arcade, Newquay, after finding it behind a car in the Glamis Road area of Newquay a few days before New Year’s Eve 2015.

The man who brought the phone in is described a white, aged between 20-years-old and 30-years-old, approximately 5ft 3ins tall and was clean shaven and appeared ‘quite young’. His hair was dark, slightly scruffy and had a slight quiff.

DC Pinder said: “We are keen to trace and speak to the member of public who found and handed in a phone belonging to Darren between Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2015.

“The phone, a black Samsung Galaxy, was located in a garden and was handed in to a member of staff at the Arcade.

“We are currently treating the death of Darren Witcombe as unexplained and as part of our enquiries, we are appealing to the public to help us piece together a better picture of his whereabouts before he died.

“Darren was originally from Wales and had a noticeable Welsh accent, however he lived in Newquay for many years so was well known. Darren went missing towards the end of December 2015 and Detectives from Newquay CID are appealing to anyone who may have any information of Darren’s last movements.

“The last confirmed sighting of Mr Witcombe was when he visited a friend at an address in Mount Batten Close, in St Columb Minor, Newquay on Wednesday the 23rd of December at around 10pm. He ordered a taxi but had left before it arrived. If you saw Darren during this period we would like to hear from you.

“Any information, no matter how small could be vital for the police.”

If you saw or heard from Darren or have any information that may help the police understand how he came to his death, or any information on the man who handed Darren’s phone in, then please call 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk quoting enquiry number EN/016733/16.